The editor of Bronteana is currently a graduate student in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She has a combined BA in English Language and Literature and Classical Civilization. She is currently working on a master's thesis on adaptations of Jane Eyre.
Comments and contributions are always welcome at bronteana.blog@gmail.com

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Jane Eyre: The Musical (2000) La Jolla Disc Two

Here are the rest of the tracks from the soundboard recording of a 2000 performance of Jane Eyre: The Musical from its pre-Broadway run in La Jolla California, starring Marla Schaffel and James Barbour. This half includes only a few songs which do not appear in the other revisions of the show, including the beautiful ballad 'Child in the Attic.' Once again, since this was made from the soundboards of the theatre the sound effects are very loud. 'The Chestnut Tree' will be known to my long-time readers as 'Rochester Triumphant.' As much as I like the show, I am very glad this was cut. It sounds like Rochester hit the jackpot at a slot machine and won a marriage to a plain, quakerish governess.

If you're new to the show, no one knows what the apricot thing is about, although there are theories. In one recording I have Rochester is always rubbing his chest and smelling his hands. We suspect that he's very scent-oriented and has picked up a subtle fruity smell about Jane which is not otherwise perceptable. And this is good since he is blind for two years of their marriage.

15 comments:

Paul
said...

Alas, doesn't quite work. You've given the same link for Gypsy Reprise and Farewell, Good Angel, which leaves us short a track -- I'm not sure which, since I don't want to listen until I can go straight through. Looking very forward to hearing it when it's fixed, though! Thanks.

I know this may sound completely stupid, but this is the actual stage/song line up right? I've spent countless hours trying to figure this out before these posts, so I just want to make sure before I go all giddy on my room mate.

I would be interested to know what the staging was like! That is the one element missing from all of the research I've been able to do on the show. There are not many reliable sources for the staging of many of these versions.

Yes, the composer told me that the tree often set off the fire alarm. He recalled that there were in fact two trees which were 'switched' onstage and that the noise of the effect would set off the alarms. My guess is that this is why 'The Chestnut Tree' is such a chaotic pile of sound effects: they're trying to screen out the sound of the tree!

Are you referring to how Forgiveness and the Gateshead scenes come after Rochester tries to marry Jane? If so, yes, this is the correct order. They rearranged the sequence of events to make for more suspense before intermission if I remember correctly. But if there's some other problem, please let me know so I can address it.

Thank you so much! I have to admit, when I first heard about Jane Eyre: The Musical several years back, I rolled my eyes. But it has some gorgeous music, and it's a beautiful musical...it's a shame it didn't run longer once it was on Broadway. Luckily, I have the Broadway and Toronto cast albums. Thanks again for giving me the La Jolla performance to add to my collection!

Anything in particular? It's been a few years and while my memory isn't exactly fresh, listening to those tracks is slowly bringing things back.

Most of what I remember were the changes between La Jolla and Broadway - such as the switch between Secret Soul and Sirens. In the LJ version, where Secret Soul was the Act 1 closer, it begins in the same area as the Broadway production, except there was a second story balcony that Rochester steps out onto for his verse and the rest of the duet. It was interesting, because instead of ending on the powerful Sirens (angry & ominous - especially when Bertha "appears" in the attic window near the end) of broadway, Secret Soul made the act closer more wistful and sweet.

Oh, man, I love this. Thank you! I'm annoying my friends so much with "Oh my goodness, you have to hear Rochester Triumphant!" They may listen because now we regularly make fun of James and Marla's rather hilarious performance of, "Is there a flood?" "NO SIR, A FIRE!" "Is that Jane Eyre? What have you done to me, you witch?" "SIR, NOW IS NOT THE TIME!" "Fine, then, go to bed. Wait, where are you going? I meant MY bed, Jane!" It's really a lovely production, though. Especially songs like "Child in the Attic." I wish so much I could see it, but nobody performs it in my area, ever.